The Battlefords Agricultural Society is looking ahead towards re-opening and possibly hosting a fair event later this summer.In an interview airing on the Talk of the Town show on Access Now TV, Ag Society Manager Jocelyn Ritchie expressed optimism that an event will be hosted in the wake of the provincial announcement that the remaining restrictions could all be removed July 11.
“I’m really hoping to put something together,” said Ritchie.
But even if the restrictions are lifted, time is an issue and there will be noticeable changes from previous years.
North West Territorial Days did not go ahead due to the pandemic in 2020. Should it return in August, it would be a different and more scaled down show and the event might not even go by that name for this year.
The most significant change would be the absence of midway rides. Ritchie confirmed they are not going to have a midway for 2021 as West Coast Amusements is not able to travel this summer.
Ritchie said they could not get enough people to tour this summer. “Staff is an extreme issue,” said Ritchie.
Despite that, they are “still hoping to have great events for people to come out.”
Details remain up in the air but some tentative ideas are being tossed about.
Ritchie did say they may try to have a parade, and hold a demolition derby or perhaps chuckwagon races and horse shows. There may be a smaller-scale trade show, as well as children’s activities. Food booths are likely to return as well.
They are looking at the week of Aug. 18, which would be their traditional date to host the fair. With the midway not on the schedule, Ritchie said it is possible the major events could be shifted to the weekend to include Saturday and Sunday.
These plans are still dependent on the province lifting restrictions. Ritchie said they will be watching closely to see what happens by June 20.
If restrictions are not lifted for the summer and the reopening is delayed again, “we are going to go full force in the fall,” Ritchie said. She also pledged to let everyone know what their plans are once those are finalized.
The Ag Society had a board meeting planned for Wednesday where some decisions could be made.
Even if given green light to hold summer events, Ritchie still expects many restrictions will still in place.
“We will make sure everybody is extremely safe ... when we do host any events or activities out here.”
It has been a struggle for the Ag Society over the past year. All their major events, including North West Territorial Days as well as the Agrimex trade show in the spring, were cancelled. Ritchie says they have also lost most of their staff. They are in the process of hiring new staff.
Planning for a return has been a challenge, as Ritchie noted their attempts to reopen have been put on hold over the last several months due to changing restrictions.
“You get very hopeful and then we had our numbers come up, we had more restrictions put in place,” said Ritchie. “Basically it’s like a week to week — we’re trying to get different events organized and planned.”
Another challenge is trying to line up volunteers for potential events amidst all the uncertainty.
“The ‘maybe’ is always a difficult thing.”
In general, Ritchie reports that Ag societies and exhibition associations have been hard hit financially by the pandemic. Ritchie says it is the mid-sized operations, such as their own, that have suffered the most. The smaller, as well as larger exhibition operations have been better able to weather the financial storm.
“We have not gotten enough funding to keep us going,” said Ritchie. “We are all hoping that the Saskatchewan government and the federal government will come on board. We have ask letters going out, and we’re very hopeful. It looks like we will not be left out of the loop.”
One challenge that the Ag Society is turning to the public for help with is fundraising for the Agrivilla.
What they are looking to replace the insulation in that venue. Ritchie pointed to the lack of revenue over the last 17 months and notes the Ag Society still must look after all of the fixed costs as well as the maintenance and upkeep on the buildings.
Ritchie is asking anyone who has ever used the Agrivilla building to consider a financial contribution. Any support is greatly appreciated, she says, and all donations will receive a tax receipt.
